kirchhoff



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

. KIRGHHOPF.

EOTAEINE STEAM ENGINE.

Nv PETERS. Phomlilhognphr, Wnshingnll, D: CV

`(No Model.)

2 sheets-Sheena. P KIRCHEOFF EOTATING STEAM ENGINE.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.V

PAUL KIRO/HHOFF, OF MITTVEIDA, SAXONY, GERMANY.

ROTATING STEAM-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 421,728, dated February 18, 1890.

Application filed August 1, 1887. Serial No. 245,890. (No model.) Patented iu Germany April 3, 1887, No. 41,187 in England v April 30, 1887, No. 6,854, and in France Ootoherv 3, 1887,1To. 183,381.

many by Letters Patent No. 41,187, datedv April 3, 1887; in Great Britain by Letters Patent No. 6,354, of April30,1887; in France pgfsgletters Patent No. 183,381, of October 3,

The object of this invention is to improve the construction and operation of rotating steam-engines in which the steam acts on pistons project-ing from a drum or cylinder and in contact with an exterior hollowed disk 'or casing.`

To this end the said invention consists in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth.

In said drawings, Figure 1 represents a vertical cross-section taken through an engine embodyingr my invention on a plane parallel and proximate to the valve-plate S, hereinafter described. Fig. 2wrepresents a longiv Y tudinal vertical section of the same, taken in Fig. 3 represents in detail elevation the coupa plane parallel and proximate tothe shafts.

ling between the shafts. Fig. -1 represents a cross-section through the steam-governing devices. Fig. 5 represents a plan view of the same. Fig. 6 represents, on a larger scale, a longitudinal vertical section through the same and certain proximate devices. Fig. 7 represents a plan view of the same on a similar scale. Fig. 8 represents a detail-view, in elevation, of the springs F and their proximate parts.

A designates a cupshaped disk or casing open on one side, which is mounted on a horizontal shaft W', having its bearing in a standard B', and C designates a cylinder or drum mounted on a horizontal shaft W2, which has its bearings in a shaft B2. These shafts are not in line, and consequently the drum O, although located within the cup-shaped casing A, is eccentric thereto. The connection between said shafts is by an Oldham coupling D, (illustrated in Fig. 3,) having cross-` slots Which slide on tenons d and e of said casing A and drum C.

The steam enters at a' and passes through openings in a stationary valve-plate S, and then through one of several openings X' in the rotating-seat of said valve-plate to one of several radial cylinders c, which are set into the drum O. The steam enters these cylinders under pistons 7c, which work therein, and afterward escapes through outlet a2. Each of these pistons is conneted by a ball-andsocket joint 'Z to the inner end of an outwardly-extending rod or arm s, provided at 'the other end With a head u in the form of a segment of -a cylinder which ts loosely into a recess in the inner'face of the casing or cupv shaped disk A and has a rolling motion in contact therewith as the shafts rotate. This causes,

the thrust of the pistons to be always exerted in the same direction as the centrifugal force. On the return or inward stroke of the piston the steam is discharged through one of the openings `X' aforesaid and escapes through outlet a2, las already stated. As the disk or casing A and drum O rotate about the stationary valve-plate S, the said pistons are successively acted on in this manner and the steam admitted and discharged.

The valve-plate S is pressed against its scat by springs F,which bear against a transverse bar T, attached to standard B2. Said plate S is held by plates which are xed to standard B2. The inlet and outlet pipes pass through them. One of these plates (marked n) is shown in Fig. 2 supporting the inlet-tube.

The steam-supply is governed by the folinside of said casing. A spindle VS, exl tending outerward from shaft W2, has a bushing f fixed on its outer end. On this bushing is a collar d'. The said casing R,

at one end to said collar and at the other end to an enlargement a of a sleeve u2 on the spindle W3. The inner end of bushing fis provided with a cup-shaped enlargement W4, which receives one end of a spring @the which is preferably pear-shaped, is secured TOO other end of said spring bearing against a collar m, having radial lugs m', provided with lateral pins d2. rlhese pins ent-er rings or eyes 7u', formed on the inner ends of said angular governor-levers K.

The centrifugal action of the governorballs K will cause the said rings to draw on the said pins in such a manner as to move collar m outward against the pressure of spring r. The sleeve u2 moves outward with said collar. Said sleeve is grooved peripherally to receive a ring q, to which a lever p is connected at its middle, said lever having rods p p2 attached to its ends. The rod p2 is fixed and serves as a fulcrum. The rod p is connected to one end of a cylindrical obliquely-slotted casing o, the slot c of which receives a pin or stud t on a shaft t. The said shaft is of course partly rotated by the action of the walls of said slot on said pin as said cylinder moves longitudinally. This shaft carries an eccentric Z, having two cams c', which by the rocking of said shaft come into contact with the inner periphery of a yoke X. This yoke has tongue-shaped valve z2 attached to it at ZJ. 'When this valve is carried by said yoke across the opening 0c', through `which steam is passing to one of the pistons, it cuts off the supply of steam. If the act-ion of the governor be only suiiicient to move said valve across a part of said opening, the steam will be cut. off only in part. Thus the governing devices above described and said valve constitute together an efficient means for automatically regulating the steam-supply and the action of the engine.

The sleeve fis preferably screw-threaded, as shown in Fig. 5. As indicated in Fig. 2, the collar CZ is then divided into a pair of clamping-nuts holding the end of the casing 'between them. By adjusting these nuts backward or forward on said collar the tension of spring r is increased or diminished,-

the action of the governor being made correspondingly more or less delicate as a con sequence.

The central part of drum C is separated from the basis of the cylinder c by any heatinsulating material occupying spaces 1f, Fig. 2. Said drum is also covered, except said cylinders, with a coating of this material, (marked t".)

The inlet-pipe a and .the outlet-pipe a? are preferably provided with telescopic connections, one of which S8 is indicated in Fig. G. Of course any suitable vapor or liquid may be substituted for steam in working this engine.

lIavin g thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a rotary engine, the combination of cup-shaped disk or casing having recesses in the inner face of its peripheral wall, with piston-rods having rounded heads which Work in said recesses, pistons to which said rods are attached, a drum having radial steamcylinders in which said pistons reciprocate, inlets and outlets for steam to and from the spaces within said cylinders behind said pistons, the shafts of said disk and drum arranged eccentrically with respect to each other, and supports for the shafts and their actuating mechanism above described, all operating substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of cup-shaped disk or casing A with drum C, turning eccentrically therein and having steam-cylinders c, provided with steam inlets and outlets, pistons reciprocating in said cylinders and having piston-rods which are provided with vrounded heads working in recesses ot said disk or casing, shafts for said drum and disk, and an Oldham coupling` connecting said shafts, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the drum C, `provided with radial steam-cylinders c, with the pistons Working in said cylinders and the rods attached thereto by ball-and-socket joints, and provided with rounded heads which are free to turn in contact with the inner face of said cup-shaped disk, substantially as set forth.

4. In a rotary engine, the iixed valve-plate S, in combination with a drum C, provided with cylinders c and openings at', through which the steam passes to thc said cylinders, the pistons and piston-rods actuated thereby, inlet and outlet pipes for said steam, and the rotary cup-shaped diskA in contact with the heads of said piston-rods, substantially as set forth.

5. In combination with the disk or casing A, the drum C, provided with cylinders c, the pistons operating in said cylinders, the stationary valve-plate S, the ton gue-like valve for closing partly or wholly the passage ol' steam through said valve-plate and the openings a" in its seat, and regulating mechanism for turning said valve axially, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

P. KIRCJIII'OFF. lVitnesses:

E. l. BRAMLETTE, RICH. KELLER.

IOO

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